Sad US Army Dedication

I am always looking for different and interesting new vegetables to grow in my garden. So I decided to try this new squash I came across this year. The squash is actually called “Flying Saucer Summer Squash (F1 Hybrid)”. It is a compact bush variety with intense color patterns. You can either wait until the soil warms up and plant the seeds 1/2″ deep or do what I did and start them from seed indoors. They are ready to harvest in 50 days.

The Flying Saucer Squash is related to the zucchini and patty pan squash. So if you have grown zucchini before you know once they start maturing you need to check the plant daily for new “aliens”. They basically need the same requirements as zucchini does, full sun, well prepared planting bed and regular watering.

These particular seeds where purchased from Pinetree Garden Seeds. A key to a heavy yield is to pick the summer squash when they are young, about palm size. They can be prepared like any other zucchini or summer squash.

The way I like to prepare them is to slice them horizontally, add a little Extra Virgin Olive Oil, some salt & pepper, garlic salt and chopped basal leaves. I put them on the barbecue grill and cook them for a few minutes on each side. I’ve been told you can even stuff them. I’ll have to try that one of these days. They have a much better taste than other zucchini or summer squash I have eaten. They have a nice sweet and buttery taste.

I grew a number of this particular squash for the Colorado Springs, CO HAS Vegetable Demonstration Garden. So if you want to see one up close and personal visit the HAS Garden. The squash’s unique shape and color is what first intrigued me to grow some for myself. The deep yellow body with scalloped edges and dark green center looked like something right out of Science Fiction.